The spatial organization and microbial community structure of an epilithic biofilm

FEMS Microbiology Ecology
Nick A CutlerHeather A Viles

Abstract

Microbial biofilms are common on lithic surfaces, including stone buildings. However, the ecology of these communities is poorly understood. Few studies have focused on the spatial characteristics of lithobiontic biofilms, despite the fact that spatial structure has been demonstrated to influence ecosystem function (and hence biodegradation) and community diversity. Furthermore, relatively few studies have utilized molecular techniques to characterize these communities, even though molecular methods have revealed unexpected microbial diversity in other habitats. This study investigated (1) the spatial structure and (2) the taxonomic composition of an epilithic biofilm using molecular techniques, namely amplicon pyrosequencing and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. Dispersion indices and Mantel correlograms were used to test for the presence of spatial structure in the biofilm. Diversity metrics and rank-abundance distributions (RADs) were also generated. The study revealed spatial structure on a centimetre scale in eukaryotic microbes (fungi and algae), but not the bacteria. Fungal and bacterial communities were highly diverse; algal communities much less so. The RADs were characterized by a distinctive 'hollow'...Continue Reading

References

Jun 1, 2002·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·John DunbarCheryl R Kuske
Dec 6, 2005·Microbial Ecology·Deirdre B GleesonFrank P McDermott
Jan 18, 2006·Nature Reviews. Microbiology·Jennifer B Hughes MartinyJames T Staley
Jun 15, 2007·Environmental Microbiology·Anna A Gorbushina
Jun 26, 2007·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Qiong WangJames R Cole
Feb 11, 2009·Advances in Applied Microbiology·Stefanie ScheererChristine Gaylarde
Aug 12, 2009·Nature Methods·Christopher QuinceWilliam T Sloan
Feb 1, 2003·FEMS Microbiology Ecology·Tom C J HillBruce F Moffett
Apr 23, 2010·The New Phytologist·Kessy AbarenkovUrmas Kõljalg
Mar 30, 2011·PloS One·Enfeng WangResham Bhattacharya
Jun 28, 2011·Bioinformatics·Robert C EdgarRob Knight
Oct 2, 2012·Journal of Microbiological Methods·Nick A CutlerAndrew S Whiteley
Nov 28, 2012·The Science of the Total Environment·Nick A CutlerBernard J Smith
Nov 30, 2012·Nucleic Acids Research·Christian QuastFrank Oliver Glöckner
May 4, 2013·Microbial Ecology·Jonathan LalandeLouise Deschênes

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 6, 2017·ACS Synthetic Biology·Jonathan NaylorNatalio Krasnogor
Jan 28, 2018·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·Qiang LiQinya Ge
Aug 1, 2019·Brazilian Journal of Microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]·Jing HeJifeng Cai
Jan 15, 2021·Microbial Ecology·Mylène HugoniGeneviève Grundmann
Oct 21, 2019·Bioresource Technology·Samantha L CheungSteven M Short

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Biofilms

Biofilms are adherent bacterial communities embedded in a polymer matrix and can cause persistent human infections that are highly resistant to antibiotics. Discover the latest research on Biofilms here.

Bioremediation (ASM)

Bioremediation is the treatment and removal of harmful pollutants or contaminants through the use of microorganisms. Discover the latest research here.

Biofilm & Infectious Disease

Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor for a wide range of microorganisms that cause chronic infections.Here is the latest research on biofilm and infectious diseases.